Local agencies receive Entergy grants

Wednesday

Nov 15, 2017 at 12:01 AM

By Bridget Mire Staff Writer

Entergy Louisiana awarded five $1,000 grants to local nonprofits and entities on Tuesday.

The recipients were the Bayou Country Children's Museum, Girl Scouts Louisiana East, Paddle Bayou Lafourche, the South Louisiana Economic Council and the Village of Napoleonville. All had previously received Entergy grants.

Jody Montelaro, Entergy's vice president of public affairs, said the company focuses on economic development, poverty solutions, education and environmental health in its charitable contributions.

"The most important reason that we give back to the community is we want the communities that we live in, where we do business and where our employees live to thrive," he said. "Without that, our company cannot thrive."

Chris Gergeni, executive director of the Bayou Country Children's Museum, said the money will allow the museum to continue its mission of educating and entertaining local kids.

"We're working on some new exhibits, and we're also looking at bringing in some new educational programs," he said. "So, either one of those would be a good use of the money."

Robin Guillmette, chief operating officer for Girl Scouts Louisiana East, said the grant will go toward allowing girls in lower-income communities in the New Orleans area to participate in Girl Scouts.

"With the money, we're able to extend our outreach into serving more girls, giving them life skills, building their self-esteem, helping them become productive young citizens," she said. "It definitely makes an impact in the community, and it helps us to stretch dollars."

The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program's annual Paddle Bayou Lafourche trip, which spans four days and 52 miles, also benefited from the grant.

"It helps bring hospitality and culture into our paddle trip," said Kristy Monier, media and publications coordinator for BTNEP. "They don't just come to paddle; they come to eat, listen to music and get the true feel of Lafourche Parish."

Vic Lafont, president and CEO of SLEC, said the money will go toward keeping existing industries and recruiting those outside of the area.

Meshaun Blame, municipal clerk for Napoleonville, said the grant will help the village continue installing surveillance cameras as part of its community policing.

Entergy shareholders invested more than $10.9 million in charitable contributions to Louisiana nonprofits and community partners last year.

In the past two years, the company awarded over 90 grants totaling about $304,000 in southeastern Louisiana.

-- Staff Writer Bridget Mire can be reached at 448-7639 or bridget.mire@dailycomet.com. Follow her on Twitter @bridget_mire.